Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1995

A black asphalt road stretched long across the desolate land where withered grass grew wildly.

Koh Han-bong stared blankly at the asphalt.

His job, which required him to travel both domestically and internationally, meant he was used to seeing runways. But the way this runway felt today was definitely a first.

Koh Han-bong’s lips were parched as he looked at the transport plane in the middle of the runway.

‘This might be a historic sight.’

The history of the world is recorded and passed down.

Koh Han-bong had always taken that fact for granted. But looking at this scene, he wondered if the common sense he knew was really common sense.

Maybe…

Isn’t it possible that there are more unrecorded events in history than recorded ones?

Isn’t it possible that even events that were so huge they could change the fate of the world could be forgotten without being recorded in history?

Looking at the seven people standing on that runway, he couldn’t help but think that.

Gulp.

Koh Han-bong swallowed hard.

The Prime Minister of South Korea.

That position was definitely a weighty one.

But at this moment, even the name of the Prime Minister of South Korea was meaningless.

Because they were the ones who carried the fate of the world, not just South Korea.

“Hoo-oo.”

Koh Han-bong took a long, deep breath and approached the people waiting for the transport plane to be ready.

“Lord of the Alliance.”

Kang Jin-ho, who was smoking a cigarette in front, turned his head to look at Koh Han-bong.

“You’ve come?”

“Of course, I had to come. Of course.”

Koh Han-bong said, swallowing hard.

“Code One also tried to come out, but as you know, his every move is recorded, so he couldn’t get out of his schedule. He asked me to convey his understanding.”

“No need.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“It would only be a burden for us.”

If Kim Myung-chan were here, he might have laughed, saying that Kang Jin-ho had learned to be quite polite. Saying things he didn’t mean.

But Koh Han-bong could only take Kang Jin-ho’s words at face value.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Koh Han-bong bowed slightly and took a deep breath as if he was feeling anxious.

“We have reached an agreement with China. We will block the nearby roads and use them as runways. Vehicle control and road maintenance are not yet complete, so please wait a little longer.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his chin.

There was also the option of crossing through the portal and traveling by car, but that would require arranging separate vehicles or being guided by the Chinese. This method was chosen because it was less cumbersome, so they had to put up with this much.

“That’s fine.”

“Please understand that we cannot escort you with our aircraft. Putting military aircraft on Chinese soil is also a very sensitive issue…”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“It seems like having a US military transport plane on Chinese soil isn’t a non-sensitive issue either.”

“Hahaha.”

Koh Han-bong laughed awkwardly.

In fact, he had absolutely no influence on this decision. Even though the departure point was Korea and the leader of this group was Kang Jin-ho, the composition of the group was multinational, so it was difficult to assert any authority.

The reason he came here was simply to see Kang Jin-ho off as the Prime Minister of South Korea, and also…

“Lord of the Alliance.”

Koh Han-bong looked at Kang Jin-ho with a determined face.

“As a human being, I wish you good luck.”

Kang Jin-ho’s lips curled up at those words.

“And as a politician?”

“Of course, I should wish you good luck. Your victory will bring so much. But…”

Koh Han-bong shook his head.

“That’s for later. At least for now, I don’t want to bring up political logic. Before I am a politician, before I am the Prime Minister of a country, I am also a human being.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded slowly. The world was changing rapidly.

For those who had lived in an ordinary world, this flow was something to be feared.

“Please, you must win, and you must come back.”

“I don’t think you’ll be too happy to see me come back.”

“That’s a misunderstanding, Lord of the Alliance.”

Koh Han-bong smiled as Kang Jin-ho’s eyes lit up slightly.

“We know now. Coexistence with the Murim [martial arts world] is no longer a matter of choice. Coexistence is essential.

If that’s the case, it’s better to have someone who can communicate, even if it’s a bit awkward.”

“If you’re not here, who knows who will take the lead? And if we’re unlucky, it might split into several factions again. It’s a headache just thinking about dealing with that one by one. So, as the Prime Minister of South Korea, I ask you, please come back.”

“…You said politics was for later.”

“Haha, politicians are supposed to have many faces.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

It hadn’t been that long since he had formed a relationship with Koh Han-bong, but it felt like they had known each other for a very long time.

“I will definitely come back.”

“Yes, Lord of the Alliance.”

Just in time, the hatch of the transport plane opened. Kang Jin-ho looked at it and then slightly bowed his head to Koh Han-bong.

“Then.”

“Good luck.”

Kang Jin-ho headed to the transport plane without any hesitation. Then, those who had been waiting behind him stood side by side and headed to the transport plane.

Koh Han-bong watched everyone boarding the transport plane with his own eyes.

‘How can they be so calm?’

Even Koh Han-bong was this nervous.

The heavy responsibility must be weighing them down. But there was no sign of that weight in their steps as they boarded the transport plane.

“Is this the difference in caliber…”

Koh Han-bong’s eyes watched as the plane slowly rose onto the runway.

“Prime Minister.”

“…Yes.”

Koh Han-bong nodded.

The warriors had gone to their battlefield. It was the role of a politician to ensure that they could fight without worrying about other things.

“I must fight in my own battlefield.”

Koh Han-bong’s gaze followed the transport plane as it took off from the runway.

‘Please come back, Lord of the Alliance.’

Chaikechang looked at the eight-lane road in front of him.

The road, which would normally be packed with cars, was now empty.

‘The power of public authority is terrifying.’

No matter how powerful the Hongwang Clan was, they could not do something like this. Their power was violence. They could suppress their opponents, but it was a power that would inevitably cause side effects.

But public authority was the power to subdue opponents without forcing them through violence.

‘I have to fight against these people.’

Normally, he might not have been particularly impressed by this sight. But looking at this scene now, he couldn’t help but realize how much power the system of a nation had.

‘They’re going to create a nation for the Murim?’

He realized once again how absurd that was.

A system that could control roads in an instant and citizens who followed those orders without question.

That was impossible for the Murim, who were nothing but rebels.

At first, they might follow the control by submitting to the authority of the Black King, but how long would that last? Eventually, control through violence would begin again…

‘It will collapse from within.’

Chaikechang was the one who most agreed with Kang Jin-ho’s statement that the Murim were no different from parasites. He was the one who had been controlling the Hongwang Clan by using the authority of the Hongwang.

‘They’re coming.’

Chaikechang’s gaze turned to the sky.

A small dot in the distance, an airplane was flying.

No.

A large airplane and a dozen fighter jets surrounding it as if they were escorting it.

“…What a luxurious way to travel.”

Even Air Force One wouldn’t receive that many fighter jets as escorts.

No, maybe it was natural.

‘Anyone can replace the President of the United States.’

It wasn’t that he was disregarding the position of the President of the United States. It was a very important and great position.

But there were at least dozens of people who were qualified to be the President of the United States. If the President of the United States suddenly disappeared, there would only be problems with the handover and replacement of his duties, but there would be no damage caused by the disappearance of that person.

But these people were not like that.

Each one of them was irreplaceable.

So, it was understandable that they would receive a more luxurious escort than the President.

Koo-oong!

The transport plane, which had arrived in an instant, landed on the road with a dull thud.

The transport plane, which had slowly reduced its speed, stopped right in front of where Chaikechang was standing.

Keeeeeeng!

As if there was no time to waste, the hatch opened, and a group of people led by Kang Jin-ho walked out.

Generals from the military and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had been waiting, went to greet them, but Kang Jin-ho didn’t even glance at them and walked straight towards Chaikechang and the Hongwang standing behind him.

“It’s good to see you again.”

Chaikechang bowed, and Kang Jin-ho nodded lightly and looked at the Hongwang.

“Are you ready?”

“I was ready a long time ago.”

The Hongwang answered calmly.

Looking at the Hongwang, Kang Jin-ho’s eyes lit up.

Since his defeat against Kang Jin-ho, the Hongwang’s temperament had changed slightly. His grand aura was still there, but there was a subtle anxiety within it.

But the current Hongwang did not show any of that anxiety. The same strength he had felt when he first met Kang Jin-ho was still there.

Kang Jin-ho smiled.

“It seems like you’ve sorted out your mind.”

“Because it might be the last time.”

The Hongwang smiled.

“Whatever I wanted, whatever I tried to achieve, it’s all meaningless after I die.

So, at least in this battle, I want to pour out everything I have.”

“I felt more at ease when I thought that way.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled back.

“That’s the right answer.”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned to the people behind him.

“Thinking about the future and worrying about the future is what politicians should do.”

“We just need to fight and win right now.

That’s the way of the Murim. Let’s think about the aftermath later.”

The winner takes all.

That was the archetype of the Murim.

“Let’s go. They must be waiting eagerly, there’s no need to waste time.”

Chaikechang nodded.

“It’s a thirty-minute drive.”

“That’s farther than I thought.”

“The base is also equipped with an air-to-air system. There might be an interception.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

It didn’t seem like the Black King would do that, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

“However… there are Murim gathered at the entrance to the base.”

“Hmm.”

“The Hongwang Clan is also on standby. If you wish, we can deploy them to clear the way.”

“No need.”

Kang Jin-ho said indifferently.

“Let’s just go.”

“Are you sure?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Chaikechang nodded.

No matter what anyone said, the leader here was the Demon King. Even if he was serving the Hongwang, that fact did not change.

Then he had to follow Kang Jin-ho’s orders.

“I will escort you.”

At Chaikechang’s signal, military vehicles lined up and stopped in front of them.

Kang Jin-ho, who got into the car at the very front, crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat.

‘It’s starting.’

His eyes shone coldly, more coldly than ever.